BACKGROUND: Cardiac-specific troponin (Tn) serum concentrations have proved to be important diagnostic and prognostic markers for acute myocardial infarction. Elevated levels in the setting of noncardiac diseases such as intracerebral hemorrhage also may provide useful prognostic information regarding outcome.METHODS: A systematic review of the English-language medical literature was performed using PubMed. Articles reporting original data were included.RESULTS: Ten reports qualified for review. A spectrum of cardiac abnormalities was observed in studied patients, sometimes more frequently in those with Tn elevations, whereas some had no such abnormalities, even if Tn was detected. Although some studies suggested a worse outcome in patients with elevated Tn levels, the findings were inconsistent.CONCLUSIONS: At this time, although the literature suggests an association between cardiac-specific Tn elevations and clinical events in patients with intracranial hemorrhage, data are insufficient to conclude that there is a consistent predictive value or to recommend routine Tn monitoring for prognosis.